it seems shorebirds are completely oblivious to any- thing nearby as they frantically pierce the sand with their beaks.
Shorebirds are not simply birds found at the shore, but are the families of plovers, sandpipers, and re- lated forms. Most of these birds can be found along shorelines, especially in migration, but they are also found inland, upland, or at sea. It is common to see several species of shorebirds feeding at the same locale and in close proximity of each other. However, because shorebird species possess dif- ferent bill lengths, it enables different spe- cies to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without
directly competing for food. Many of these birds have sensitive nerve endings at the end of their bills which enable them to detect prey items hidden beneath the mud or soft soil.
What is the big attraction for shorebirds to Carpinteria? It is the vast environmental diversity along the shoreline, just off shore and west of the city beach. Blessed with coastal bluffs, a harbor seal rook- ery, some of the best tide pools in Southern California,
an off shore reef draped in bladder kelp, a lagoon, and a vibrant salt marsh, the Carpinteria coastline provides habitat well suited for large gatherings of shorebirds.
Species like the willet and killdeer are year-round residents, but once summer fades into fall followed closely by winter, they’re joined by bunches of migrat- ing shorebirds congre- gating on Carpinteria’s beaches, beneath the bluffs and along the mudflats of the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park.
The best time to spot shorebirds is early in the morning and late in the afternoon. They will be feeding at this time, quickly scamper- ing along the shore-
line. Like most animals, during the middle of the day shorebirds will tuck themselves away to avoid the mid-day heat.
As is the case with many birds, identifying each species can be a challenge. Besides a good guide book, shorebirds are best seen with a pair of binocu- lars, a spotting scope, or a long telephoto lens. With these tools in place, you’ll find shorebirds to be some of the most active in the avian world. ¢
TOP, the Black Turnstone makes its home in Carpinteria in fall, winter, and spring. In addition to its black head, its coloring includes white eyebrows and reddish brown legs.
BOTTOM, under dark storm clouds shore birds gather at sunset for a meal.
OPPOSITE PAGE TOP, the Western Snowy Plover fi nds a warm and toasty spot. The plover no longer nests on the beach in Carpinteria because there are too many people using the area.
OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM, Long Billed Curlews use their lengthy downcurved bill to hunt for supper. 58 CARPINTERIAMAGAZINE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92